Page 47 of Signs and Wonders

The speaker looked to Evan and Brent and quirked an eyebrow.Let them draw whatever conclusions they want to.

“We were on a road trip and stopped in town to see friends,” Evan told their cover story. He and Brent hadn’t clarified their relationship and didn’t intend to. Letting people make assumptions made it easier to request a shared room since neither of them wanted to bunk with strangers or be alone in Swain’s resort.

“The flier caught our attention, and we figured it would be fun to see what was going on,” Brent added. Evan wondered how often Brent had gone undercover back in his FBI days. He seemed to have a knack for melting into his persona.

“I wonder if this is one of those Transcendental Meditation places,” the woman from Roanoke said. “Maybe someone will play the sitar.”

“That’s completely different, Linda,” her husband said without looking up from his meal. “This is more like those people you watch on TikTok.”

“You never know,” Linda spoke up. “Sitar music and drums go with everything.”

“Is everyone having a good lunch?” Josh bounded to the front of the room with the energy of a game show host, and Evan wondered if he’d had been a school mascot in his teenage years. Happy murmurs answered his question, and Josh beamed at his audience.

“If you liked lunch, wait until you see what the chef has for dinner! Here at Summit, we believe that food and rest are two key factors to renewing yourself—and core principles of Renou-Vous,” Josh went on.

“You’ll find a copy of our plan for tonight and tomorrow in your rooms, but I’d like to point out the highlights. After lunch, we have a guided relaxation shavasana with meditative music,” Josh told them. Evan recalled that they had been asked to wear clothes that didn’t restrict movement but that were a step up from gym wear.

“Some people use it as a nap,” he added, and the crowd chuckled, “but if you can ‘float’ instead of sleeping, you’ll be even more refreshed. After that, some time to stretch and then a drum circle.”

Linda elbowed her husband with a look of vindication.

“Before dinner, we’ll hear from one of our mentors-in-residence, Paul Wellington, who spoke at the library event,” Josh continued. “He’ll give you a brief introduction to our approach to wellness here at Summit for those who might want to return. You’ll have some free time after dinner—my favorite things to do include walking the meditative labyrinth, checking out the library, or exploring the garden when the twinkle lights are lit,” he suggested.

“Then tonight there will be live music and spoken word presentation to induce deep relaxation and help you let go of tension,” Josh said. “I’ll tell you about tomorrow’s activities at breakfast. Go enjoy your day!”

The program seemed so normal that Evan momentarily second-guessed himself.Swain’s behind this. People disappear. Whether Josh and Jennifer and the other workers realize it, they’re helping a mass murderer harvest his victims.

As they walked around the campus and the main lodge, Evan kept an eye out for the shield and keys logo. He saw it replicated in artwork or painted on the walls of buildings, but nothing that would serve the purpose of a witch disciple’s anchor. While he suspected the real relic was in the spa, he didn’t want to assume and miss something important.

“I wonder if we’ll get a tour of the spa,” Evan said to their tablemates. “It looked very nice in the brochure. I’m intrigued by the idea of it having a cave pool.”

“Ooh, that’s right,” Linda said and waved Josh over. “Can we see the spa? If it’s half as nice as the pictures, I’ll sign up for a longer program on the spot.”

Josh beamed. “If you’d like to do that during your after-dinner free time, I can arrange a tour. Let me set that up and let everyone know. The spa is one of the resort’s selling points.”

Linda thanked him and looked quite pleased with herself. “It never hurts to ask,” she told the others.

Evan and Brent lagged behind when everyone else filed out for the shavasana session, and made a beeline for their room.

“We probably shouldn’t vanish right off the bat, or someone will get suspicious,” Evan said as he checked his gear. “But I wanted to know if anyone went through our stuff.”

“Nothing’s missing.” Brent looked through his duffel. “But I’ve got the essentials in my small bag, and I’m not planning to leave it behind.”

Both men wore backpacks that didn’t attract attention but kept questionable items and weapons close.

Evan glanced around the room. Two queen-sized beds, a small couch, and a writing desk with a chair filled the space. A window provided a view of the mountains. The walls were painted a soothing light blue with white trim, providing a clean, fresh feel.

“No television.” Brent moved around the room to check for recording devices and nodded an all-clear when his sensor didn’t go off. Evan followed, putting down a line of salt and placing protective hex bags, which Travis’s witch friend had assured him would also keep them from being overheard.

“Hey, Danny. Any ghosts nearby we should worry about?” Brent looked like he was speaking to thin air, but Evan knew he was talking to his brother’s ghost. He was quiet for a moment, listening to a voice only he could hear.

“Danny said we’re clear,” Brent reported. “He sensed other ghosts in the complex, but he didn’t think any of them were dangerous.”

“I thought Travis was the medium.” Evan knew about Brent’s connection to the spirit, but their connection intrigued him since Evan also had a minor ability to summon or banish ghosts.

“He is. Travis can talk to all the ghosts. I only hear Danny. Twins, you know.” Brent shrugged. Even after all these years, pain glinted in Brent’s eyes from the loss.

Evan only knew the basics of Brent’s story, but it was enough. He also knew that last year, Danny had helped Travis and Brent go up against another demonic infestation and had vanished. Brent feared that perhaps Danny was gone for good, but the ghost had just needed time to replenish his energy.

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